Western Mass. Flag Football League ready to start season

What do former local high school standouts do when their playing days are over?

Many of them take to the field in the Western Mass. Flag Football League, which begins its 11th season Friday with two night games at Holyoke High School.

"It's a range from 18 to guys who are 36, 37 years of age," said Chad Gibson of Chicopee, the league's commissioner and single-season sack leader. "The majority of high school standouts from the past 15 years have all played in the league."

The 11-team WMFFL plays a 13-game regular season over 15 weeks. The first four weeks and the playoffs are held at Holyoke High School, with the remaining games at Van Horn Park in Springfield. When play shifts to Van Horn, two games are held simultaneously on Saturdays at 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Gibson, who is in his sixth season as commissioner, hopes to take a group of all-stars to a World Cup qualifying event, sponsored by flagmag.com, a leading resource on flag football.

The league plays 8-on-8, using NCAA rules. The sidelines are considered live, which leads to some pretty spirited tackling that borders on full contact. High school and college officials call the games.

"I anticipate in probably five years, my main goal is to have this league with approximately 20 to 24 teams," Gibson said.

The 2008 WMFFL campaign begins with a rematch of last November's Super Bowl, as Gibson's Maximum Capacity Bears open defense of their championship against the No Fear Falcons. The Bears are arguably the league's elite team, having won the last two Super Bowls and four of the eight individual postseason awards in 2007.

Gibson and top defensive back Nate Mercier anchor the defense, while the combination of reigning MVP K.J. Walsh at quarterback and receiver Juni Delgado give the Bears offensive firepower. Other elite quarterbacks in the league include the Falcons' Richie Santiago, the Eagles' John Frasco and the Redskins' Tim Klett.